For My Friend

Her dog died suddenly, with no apparent warning that anything was wrong. I know what a hole in the heart those little furry critters leave when they pass. And it keeps hurting for a long time, too....every time you come home and they aren't waiting by the door, tail-waggingly ecstatic to see you.

For some reason, I never can get my husband to greet me that way.

Stamps: D is for Dog, I {Heart} Hearts

Cardstock: Basic Black, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, Mocha Morning Specialty DSP

Ink: Basic Black Classic, Basic Black Craft, Soft Suede Stampin' Write Marker (to color white edges of ribbon)

Accessories: Houndstooth (get it?) Embossing Folder, Big Shot,  Metallic Brads, Black Stampin' Emboss Powder, Basic Black 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Heat tool, bone-shaped paper clip (non-SU)

TREAT CUPS SLIDER WINDOWS

There have been a few requests for how to make the slider window in the Valentine's Treat Cup card seen on the blog hop, so here is the tutorial.

Click on pictures to enlarge

Punch the main focal point cardstock with the Full Heart Punch.

If you are using a mat under it, fasten the mat to the card front.  Position the punched cardstock on the mat/card front wherever you want it, and trace inside the heart.

Follow the directions for using the Movers & Shapers Punch Window found HERE to make the opening in the card.

Stamp, emboss or decorate the main cardstock as desired.

Apply sticky tape to the edges of the main cardstock as shown.  Be sure to leave an opening for the slider, and don't remove the backing just yet.

Don't remove the backing from the adhesive on the treat cup.  Using 1/8" sticky tape, adhere the Heart Treat Cup to the underside of the main cardstock.

Now remove the backing from the sticky tape and adhere the main cardstock to the card front, making sure your hearts line up.  It doesn't have to be exactly centered inside, as long as you can access the the cup from the inside to fill it.

The slider itself is 2" x 3", with a Round Tab punched tab attached.

Start by sliding the candy cover between the main cardstock and the mat/card front.  Open the card and add the candy, then slide the cover closed.

 

Stamps: I {Heart} Hearts, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Cardstock: Pretty in Pink, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip

Ink: Pretty in Pink Classic, Whisper White Craft

Accessories: Heart Treat Cups, Full Heart Punch, Movers & Shapers Heart Punch Window, Round Tab Punch, Small Heart Punch, Big Shot Die-Cut Machine, Pretty in Pink 5/8 inch Satin Ribbon, Chocolate Chip 1/4 inch Grosgrain Ribbon, Sticky Strip, Tombow Multi-Purpose Adhesive, Paper Cutter

VALENTINE VOTIVE TUTORIAL

The Valentine Votive has been very popular with the people I've given it to, so far.  If you want to make them for yourself, or to give as gifts, here's how I did it (and learn how you can use the Movers and Shapers Punch Windows without the Movers & Shapers platform!).  A complete list of materials and tools used is at the end.

Click on photos to enlarge.

1- On back side of DSP, score at 2 7/8", 5 3/4", 8 5/8" and 11½" from short edge.
2- Turn paper and score at 1½" from long edge.

3- Use Scallop Trim Border punch along top edge. (Yes, I know the photos below don't show it - I figured out after that it's better to punch the border first.)

4- Using the Big Shot Die-Cut Machine, cut the heart-shaped window (in the third panel from the fold-under tab) with the Heart Punch Window die.  Be sure to leave room at the top for the ribbon trim.  The sandwich I used is:

1. Texturz Impressions Pad on bottom
2. Clear cutting pad
3. DSP paper with design facing up
4. Punch window die facing down
5. Clear cutting pad on top. 
   

5- Punch heart in one piece of the smaller Real Red CS using Full Heart Punch, going in from short edge.
6- Using Real Red Craft ink, stamp "Love You Much" sentiment on Vellum CS; emboss with clear embossing powder.  (Hold the Heat Tool about 5" away to prevent vellum from warping.)

7- Place Sticky Strip around edge of heart window and remove backing.  Center the embossed sentiment and adhere. Trim excess vellum.

 8- On inside of DSP, place Sticky Strip around heart window and remove backing. With sentiment facing up on work surface, center in DSP heart window and adhere.

9- Using Scallop Trim Border Punch, punch both long edges of the remaining Real Red CS. Trim scalloped strips with Paper Cutter, aligning flat side of punched semi-circles with edge of metal plate, as shown. (The scallops should be just barely past the ¼" mark on the plate.)
10- Adhere scallops to bottom edge along score line using Tombow adhesive. You'll need to cut a short piece to complete it, so make sure it's on the back where it won't show.

11- Cut bottom flaps along short score lines and remove excess ½"x1½" tab. Place Sticky Strip along fold of remaining tab and assemble votive holder.  Adhere bottom flaps with Snail or Sticky Strip.

12- Stamp hearts using Real Red Classic Ink on Very Vanilla CS twice.  Using Small Heart Punch, punch out "Love" hearts.  Using Heart to Heart Punch, punch out remaining hearts.  Punch again (twice) from remaining small Real Red CS. Adhere as desired on sides using Tombow adhesive.

13- Use Snail to adhere 13" strip of ribbon to top of votive holder, with ends finishing on back. Trim so raw edges butt together. Tie loose knot in 6" ribbon and adhere to front with glue dots. Trims ends.

Materials:
Sending Love Specialty Designer Series Paper #117153, half sheet (6"x12")
Real Red Cardstock #102482, 2 pieces 2½"x3", and one piece 3"x11"
Very Vanilla Cardstock #101650, 3"x4"
White Vellum Cardstock #101856, 2¼"x4"
Real Red ¾" Polka-Dot Grosgrain Ribbon #115608, 13" and 6"
Accessories and tools:
I {Heart} Hearts Stamp Set #118571 (plus Clear Mount Block C #118486, if CM stamps used)
Well Scripted Stamp Set #118601 (plus Clear Mount Block C #118486, if CM stamps used)
Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad #103133
Real Red Craft Stampin' Pad #101190 (I used a Spot, since that's all I had)
Clear Stampin' Emboss Powder #109130
Heat Tool #100005
Scallop Trim Border Punch #118402 free with qualifying purchase through Sale-A-Bration!
Heart to Heart Punch #113694
Full Heart Punch #113693
Small Heart Punch #117193
Paper Cutter #104152
Big Shot Die-Cut Machine #113439
Texturz Impressions Pad #114614
Heart Die from Punch Windows Movers & Shapers #115953
Snail Adhesive #104332 
Mini Glue Dots #103683
Sticky Strip #104294
Tombow Multi-Purpose Adhesive #110755

I {Heart} You, Friend

Here's another take on Valentine's Day, friendship, love, and in general sweetness!  I CASED the card style (loosely) from a commercial Christmas card I saw recently.  You just never know when or where you'll find inspiration. ;-)

I am sooooo loving these new stamp sets from the 2010 Occasions Mini Catalog!  I'm especially loving the new CLEAR MOUNT option!!!  Not only do you get the same high-quality red rubber stamps, but they come in a DVD-style case with the stamps' images on the front and thumbnails on the spine!!!  You can see at a glance what is in the case while it sits on the shelf.  Three sets can be stored in the space of one wood mount set (making room for more stamps, woohoo!), AND you'll never have to worry about stained wood ever again.  Clean up is a breeze!

Here's a peek inside the card:

Stamps: I {Heart} Hearts, Well Scripted
Cardstock: Rose Red, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White
DP: Tea Party Designer Series Paper
Inks: Rose Red, Pretty in Pink, Basic Black
Accessories: Scallop Trim Border Punch, Scallop Trim Corner Punch, acetate sheet, Mini Glue Dots, adhesive, Big Shot Die-Cut Machine, Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslit, Full Heart Punch